Second Lieutenant Robert Charles Bark of No.103 Squadron RFC, died of his injuries on 28 March 1918, sustained from a flying accident. Robert’s father Mr Robert J Bark resided at 588 Palmerston Ave, Toronto, Ontario. Robert, though trained in Canada, likely attested with the British Expeditionary Force in England, as his service record is missing .
No. 103 Squadron
103 Squadron formed at Beaulieu, Hampshire, England on the 1st September 1917 as a day bomber unit. A week later on the 8th, the squadron moved to Old Sarum airfield, Salisbury, Wiltshire, England. Squadron then started intensive training, working up to operational readiness. DH.9 two-seater bombers arrived at the squadron on 19 March 1918.
2/Lt Bark’s fatal accident occurred on 25 March 1918 at Old Sarum airfield. After taking off, at approximately 200ft the engine in his machine, DH.9 C6107 failed. Straight in front of him, high trees and houses so it looks like he tried turning back to the airfield, a manoeuvre pilots told not to do on taking off with engine trouble. The inevitable engine stall occurred, and the machine crashed to the ground, and caught fire. 2Lt Bark injured, whilst his passenger, Corporal Leslie Norman Witley, 98th Squadron, probably training as an observer, killed outright. Witley buried at Hunstanton (St Mary) Churchyard. Witley only 23 years of age.
Funeral of Second Lieutenant Robert Charles Bark
The funeral procession began at the residence of Robert’s uncle in Manor Park, London.
Lieutenant Walter Austen Bark
Brother Lieutenant Walter Austen Bark 510131 served with the CASC. Walter attested 27 September 1915 in Niagara, Ontario. He stood 5′ 9″ tall with dark complexion, blue eyes, and black hair. Served with No. 10 Unit of Supply, Canadian Army Service Corps, the Canadian Base Depot, Shorncliffe and Seaford area, and On Command with the Canadian Salvage Corps until demobilization in July 1919. Rose in the ranks from Private, until granted his Commission on 1 March 1917.
Special Thanks
Nigel Cartwright has to be the most knowledgeable man I know on the airmen of the Great War. CEFRG would not have found the true identity of “R.C. Bark” without Nigel.